Women's Water Polo

Hard-fought loss to Sagehens on Wednesday

Jess Gaffney (Photo by Mitchell Allan)

Apr 12, 2017

CLAREMONT, Calif. – In front of a large crowd for Pomona-Pitzer, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team suffered a tough 11-3 loss to the Sagehens on Wednesday night. The Athenas (8-11, 2-4) and Sagehens (12-18, 5-1) each played hard-nosed defense to start the game, but a handful of quick goals at the end of the first period game PP a lead they never relinquished.

In the first quarter, CMS played tough in the middle as junior Jessica Gaffney (CMC) nabbed a steal when the Athenas were down on a power play. The Athenas' first goal came in the second period as junior Claire Baxter (CMC) found senior Shannon Golden (CMC) in front of the cage. This was just Golden's sixth goal of the season.

Gaffney had an opportunity with a penalty shot in the second, but it was just high, and bounced off the cross bar. On the next possession, junior Mariah Mastrodimos (SC) made a big save while PP was playing up, 6-on-5.

The Sagehens kept attacking and scored twice more from a long pass and one-on-one with Mastrodimos and then an expertly placed lob shot. At the half, Pomona-Pitzer led 5-1.

CMS was the first to score in the third. Sophomore Tess van Hulsen (CMC) passed to Gaffney who scored off a hard shot from the left side to bring the score within three goals.

Pomona-Pitzer went on a 6-0 run to finish off the period and start the fourth, extending their total up to 11 goals. Gaffney scored once more with 1:32 remaining but time ran out before the Athenas could muster more than three goals.

CMS will complete the regular season hosting Caltech (1-14, 0-7) on Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m. All teams will then compete in the SCIAC championships April 21-23, hosted by the University of La Verne.